Olympic Stars, legends to compete in Africa Day Marathon
What you need to know:
- The 15-kilometer and 5-kilometer races will take place on May 18, seven days before the 61st anniversary of the establishment of the African Union
Dar es Salaam. Athletic legends in Tanzania Filbert Bayi, Suleiman Nyambui, and Juma Ikangaa are expected to be among the runners, who will feature in the inaugural season of the Africa Day Marathon.
Others set to compete in the event are track and field stars, who will represent the country in this season's Olympics: Alphonce Simbu, Gabriel Geay, Jackline Sakilu, and Magdalena Shauri.
The 15-kilometer and 5-kilometer races will take place on May 18, seven days before the 61st anniversary of the establishment of the African Union, founded on May 25, 1963, then known as the Organization of African Unity.
The marathon, organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Athletics Tanzania (AT) and African Ambassadors to Tanzania, will start from the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre through the various areas of Dar es Salaam City and finish at the starting point.
The Director of the African Department at the ministry, Ambassador Ali Bujiku, said the aim of the marathon is to celebrate the 61st anniversary of African countries' union.
He said that this year, they are also including athletics after participating in football during last year's 60th-anniversary celebrations.
"We expect these races to be continuous," Ambassador Bujiku said, adding that they expect the marathon to involve African ambassadors in Tanzania and many other leaders.
AT Acting Secretary-General Jackson Ndaweka said the first-ever marathon in the country is a great honour for the sport of athletics.
"We expect our three legends, Bayi, Nyambui, and Ikangaa, to participate on that day, as well as Olympic stars representing the country this season, Simbu, Geay, Magdalena, and Sakilu, who have been honored to compete," Ndaweka said.
He explained that the winner of the 15-kilometer race will receive a prize of Sh 2 million for both men and women, the runner-up will receive Sh1.5 million, and the third-places finisher will receive Sh1 million.
"The fourth-place finisher will be awarded Sh500,000, and the fifth-placed will receive Sh300,000, while those finishing in sixth to tenth positions will each be given a consolation prize of Sh100,000, for both men and women," he said.
He said registration for the race is ongoing for Sh30,000, with jogging clubs receiving a discount of Sh20,000 per person.
